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Endocrine
Published in: Endocrine 1/2022

Open Access 08-06-2022 | Pituitary Adenoma | Original Article

Distribution of E- and N-cadherin in subgroups of non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours

Authors: Kristin Astrid B. Øystese, Olivera Casar-Borota, Jon Berg-Johnsen, Jens Petter Berg, Jens Bollerslev

Published in: Endocrine | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Purpose

Clinically non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (NF-PitNETs) present a varying degree of aggressiveness, and reliable prognostic markers are lacking. We aimed to characterise the distribution of E- and N-cadherin in corticotroph, PIT1 and null-cell NF-PitNETs, and link it to the course of the tumours.

Methods

The distribution of E- and N-cadherin was investigated by immunohistochemistry in a retrospective cohort of 30 tumours of the less common NF-PitNETs (corticotroph (N = 18), PIT1 (N = 8) and null-cell PitNETs (N = 4)). Immunoreactive scores (IRS) were compared to previously presented cohorts of gonadotroph NF-PitNETs (N = 105) and corticotroph functioning PitNETs (N = 17).

Results

We found a low IRS for the extra-cellular domain of E-cadherin (median 0 (IQR 0–0, N = 135)), a medium to high IRS for the intra-cellular domain of E-cadherin (median 6 (IQR 4–9)) and a high IRS for N-cadherin (median 12 (IQR 10.5–12)) throughout the cohort of NF-PitNETs. The corticotroph NF-PitNETs presented a higher IRS for both the extra- and intra-cellular domain of E-cadherin (median 0 (IQR 0–1) and median 9 (IQR 6–12), respectively) than the gonadotroph NF-PitNETs (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Presence of nuclear E-cadherin was associated with a weaker staining for the intra-cellular domain of E-cadherin (median 4 (IQR 0.5–6) and median 9 (IQR 9–12), for tumours with and without nuclear E-cadherin, respectively), and with a lower rate of re-intervention (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Considering our results and the benign course of NF-PitNETs, we suggest that a high N-cadherin and downregulation of membranous E-cadherin are not associated with a more aggressive tumour behaviour in these subgroups of NF-PitNETs.
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Metadata
Title
Distribution of E- and N-cadherin in subgroups of non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours
Authors
Kristin Astrid B. Øystese
Olivera Casar-Borota
Jon Berg-Johnsen
Jens Petter Berg
Jens Bollerslev
Publication date
08-06-2022
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Endocrine / Issue 1/2022
Print ISSN: 1355-008X
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0100
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-022-03051-6

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